Hikes

The Drakensberg Mountains offer opportunities for some of the finest hiking in the world. With its sheer cliffs, its fauna, its flora and its San rock art, a hike in the Maloti-Drakensberg Park is a unique experience. The park allows for all levels of hiking, from a stroll around the camp to the most strenuous hikes onto the escarpment.

Aasvoelkrans Cave accommodates 8 people and is approximately 4.2km's from the Highmoor Reserve parking area. This is an easy hike. The cave itself is a "double story" cave and sleeping would generally be at the bottom cave.
There is a steep drop from the top cave and a climb down from the bottom cave to the lovely poo ...Read More...

If you only ever do one overnight hiking trip in the Drakensberg then this is at the top of the list. The hike to Bannerman Hut on day one is 10km and a climb, most people will be fine.
Sleep in relative luxury and in the morning hike up Bannerman Pass. You have plenty time to get to the top and back before sunset for ...Read More...

A 10 km hike, mostly uphill to the best overnight hut in the Drakensberg. The hike starts at the day picnic spot at Giants Castle. A short downhill and then a mostly gentle climb for about 4km's.
The last 5km's are along the contours to the Hut, enjoy the views on the way. The sunrise that awaits you from the hut in t ...Read More...

The long way to get to Bannerman Hut, 14km's, 609m uphill most of which is in the 1st half of the hike, its pretty flat thereafter.
The views from Bannerman Hut and the relative luxury of the hut overnight will make the hike worth while.Read More...

Bannerman hut at the bottom of this pass makes this a very popular pass. It is short and fun to do especially if you are new to the Drakensberg.
Bannerman cave can be found over the summit ridge to the south. The pass is 3 km long and 822 up from Bannerman Hut. On the way up the pass (1.8km) you will see Spare Rib Cav ...Read More...

Bannerman Pass was named after former British Prime Minister Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. It is said that, when viewed from the right angle, the cliffs just south of the pass resemble the profile of his face. Personally I have never been able to see it, but nonetheless, that's the origin.
Risks: the pass can get iced ...Read More...

From Injisuthi Camp follow the route towards Fergy's Cave and then take the right fork along the Injisuthi River approximately 4kms from the start and about 1km before Fergy's Cave.
Total distance to the cave is 5.7km and an climb of only 258m.
The cave is fenced so cannot be accessed without a guide. Contact: 036&nb ...Read More...

This is a moderate hike of 9.6km to Bushmans Cave. You can either return the same day, overnight in the Cave or make this day 1 of a multi day hike in the Bushman's Nek area.
The views in the valley along the way are stunning and once just above the Cave the southern escarpment views towards Rhino and Hodgson's peaks ...Read More...

The Bushman's Nek Pass is suitable for hiking and horse riding. The hike from Bushamn's Nek camp to the top of the pass is 8km with a total elevation gain of 679m making this a moderatley difficult hike.
The first half of the hike takes you past Cedric's Pool and is relatively flat, the next 3km are steep to the top o ...Read More...

Caracal Cave easily accommodates 8 people and is approximately 5.2km's from the Highmoor Reserve parking area. This is a relatively easy hike to the Cave and a bit of a climb back to the parking area.
This is a very comfortable cave. Water supply is seasonal, although water flowing over the top of the cave has been se ...Read More...

A popular pool only 4.5 km from Bushman's Nek camp. The pool is apparently named after Cedric Biggs, a leader of the Mountain Backpackers Club some years ago, who was known for plunging through the ice into the freezing pool.
It's also referred to as "Three pools" on some of the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife maps and literatu ...Read More...

A difficult 10.5km hike starting at Injisuthi Camp to Centenary Hut but worth every aching muscle once you get to the top. The first 7.5 km's are easy and then the "little" hill to climb up to the hut. It seems never ending at times but is most definitely achievable by most people, take it easy up the hill and you will ...Read More...

The Chain Ladder is one of the easiest hikes as far as Berg passes go. This trail is also the most popular. The final 30m of the cliff face is ascended by means of a two-section chain ladder. The route is accessed via Sentinel Car Park which can be found on the road from Witzieshoek Mountain Resort.
There are two sect ...Read More...

A circular day hike starting at Sentinal Car Park and up to the Chain Ladder which is one of the easiest passes. The final 30m of the cliff face is ascended by means of a two-section chain ladder.
Once at top you make your way to the Amphitheatre / Tugela Falls for stunning views and the return is down the short and s ...Read More...

This is best approached from the top of Berghaven cottages although it can also be accessed from the Heritage Walk route detailed above. Take the well marked path from the top of Bergview moving southwards into the valley. The path is very steep and you will eventually reach a stream and Cleo?s pool. There is a small c ...Read More...

A fun family day outing to Cobham and a short easy walk along the Pholela river. The distance is your choosing, from 1km to 5km in total.
As you wind your way along the river choose one of the many pools to have a swim in and have a picnic lunch. This is a great way to introduce your kids to the Drakensberg without it ...Read More...

A stunning 3 day hike. If you want a moderately easy hike, enjoy seeing Bushman Paintings want the luxury of a Hut on night 1 and enjoy caves as your accommodation on night 2 this is the hike for you.
The sunrise from Lakes Cave is brilliant and the colours of a sunrise on the berg mountains are brilliant.
The Hut ca ...Read More...

This is a great 3 hour (6,6km circular route) moderate walk through an indigenous forest to a magnificent grotto with waterfall and pool. The water can be cold as not too much sun shines into the pool.
After the pool head up the hill to Barry's Grave. Dick Barry was one of the early mountaineering pioneers of the area ...Read More...